7 Days Exploring Ireland - A Lifetime of Memories

Spend a fabulous week in Ireland! Your tour will be a 7 days and 6 nights exporing Ireland - including Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, Conor Pass, Adare, the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren.

You will be met at Dublin Airport by your Private Driver Guide who will take care of your needs during your vacation in Ireland. You will travel the highways and byways of Ireland in the comfort of a luxury tour vehicle. All local taxes, insurances, fuel and driver expenses are included.

Your hotel accommodation is either 4-star or 5-star depending on your choice.

At the end of your tour, your Private Driver Guide will safely transport you to the airport, cruise ship dock or other Dublin or Shannon location with plenty of time to check-in and/or prepare for your journey home.

Tour Highlights:

• Book of Kells
• Guinness Storehouse
• Powerscourt House & Gardens
• Glendalough
• Kilkenny Castle
• Charles Fort
• Waterford Crystal
• Slea Head Drive
• The Conor Pass
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Adare Village
• The Burren

Included:

• Complimentary VIP Pick-Up Service upon arrival in Dublin
• Private chauffeur transfers to and from airport or cruise ship
• Private Touring in Executive Vehicles adhering to all National and European Limousine Regulations
• Vehicles Fully Air Conditioned
• Knowledgeable Personal Chauffeur/Guide (police vetted for governmental departmental assignments)
• Chauffeur expenses, fuel cost, parking tolls etc, as well as all related touring expenses are covered by your ticket price
• Luxurious hotel accommodations with ensuite facilities as standard
• Full Irish Breakfast included each morning
• Concierge Service
• Complimentary Cell Phone with €100 Euro Credit

Excluded:

• Attraction Entrance Fees
• Meals other than breakfast
• Driver/Guide Gratuity

Hotel Accommodations:

4-STAR HOTELS
Nights 1 & 2: The Davenport Hotel, Dublin - Located on a quiet corner in the heart of Dublin, moments away from the buzz of city life, the O'Callaghan Davenport Hotel is where history and modernity unite. A fusion of old and new is a distinctive feature of this traditional, elegant hotel. Imaginatively decorated in warm, vibrant colours, the 4-star Davenport Hotel has been designed with style and comfort in mind.

Night 3: Perryville House Hotel, Kinsale (County Cork) - Poised in the centre of this medieval fishing port of Kinsale Cork, the hotel overlooks the marina and the colourful streets with their forests of hanging baskets and window boxes. Perryville House combines the grandeur of the past with the luxuries and convenience of today; stylishly decorated by your host Laura Corcoran, reflecting her passion for interior design and Irish antique furniture.

Nights 4 & 5: Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney - With its elegant contemporary decor and delivered with attentive personal hotel service you thought had disappeared forever, the Killarney Plaza has established itself as an institution of luxury and quality in a town of unsurpassed natural beauty. There are dozens of great pubs and restaurants within strolling distance of its front door. Located in the heart of Killarney Town at the gateway to the Ring Of Kerry.

Night 6: Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty Village (County Clare) - Nestled in the heart of the historic countryside of Bunratty and within easy access to Shannon Airport, the Hotel is but a short stroll away from the famous 15th century Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Adjacent to the Hotel is the World famous Irish pub called "Durty Nellies" which you will find is a truly unique experience. In each room you will discover elegant furnishings and superb facilities that create a haven of relaxation.

5-STAR HOTELS
Nights 1 & 2: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin - The Merrion has established itself as the epitome of relaxed grandeur, welcoming Dubliners and visitors to the city with stunningly appointed rooms, crackling turf fires and a host of facilities. Situated in the heart of Dublin, it has received many prestigious awards and accolades over recent years and excels in the art of hospitality.

Night 3: Hayfield Manor, Cork - Since it's opening in 1996, Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork City has been recognized for providing a high quality product and service. This is reflected in the various awards with which Hayfield Manor has been honoured. It is family owned and operated, where service and exceeding the expectations of its guests is the utmost priority. Each guest room contains beautiful antique furnishings and exquisite fabrics to indulge your senses. Equipped with all the modern amenities you require, bedrooms still retain the charm of a Manor House. Each bedroom is individually styled with a character all of its own.

Nights 4 & 5: Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney - The Killarney Park Hotel is situated on its own private grounds. This family-owned luxury hotel in Killarney Kerry is committed to ensuring that every moment will be memorable, relaxing and enjoyable. The Killarney Park Hotel - where there is warmth beyond the smile. Each spacious room overlooks either the hotel gardens, mountains beyond or the historic town of Killarney with the church and cathedral steeples in the background. Five star features and amenities are standard throughout, along with that essential Irish element that befits any stay with Killarney Park - a truly warm and friendly welcome.

Night 6: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket on Fergus (County Clare) - With an extraordinary history stretching back to the 5th Century, Dromoland Castle was originally the ancestral home of one of the few families of Gaelic Royalty; direct descendants of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Approached by a meandering drive that passes acres of magnificent lawns, this luxury Castle Hotel overlooks its own Championship Golf Course and a glistening lake which commands the panoramic beauty of the surroundings. Seamlessly blending Old-World elegance with contemporary luxuries, Dromoland's tradition of delivering impeccable, unobtrusive service is never compromised.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Dublin
You will be met in the arrival halls of Dublin airport or cruise ship dock by your driver guide. He will transport you to your hotel where we recommend you enjoy a short sleep of 2-4 hours. Later you can enjoy a stroll around Dublin or, if you wish, your driver will transport you to each place. The medieval city of Dublin is soaked in history dating back over a thousand years when the Vikings first founded the city and gave it its name.

Day 2 - Wicklow
Today you will travel to Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland. Enroute, visit the coastal towns south of Dublin. From there, your tour travels through The Wicklow Mountains visiting ancient monastic settlements, 18th Century houses, quaint villages and also exploring its famous bogs formed by an ancient granite uplift. The Wicklow Mountains are part of a granite mass which is the largest in north-western Europe.

Day 3 - Dublin to Cork
Travel today takes you south to Ireland's largest county - Cork. Enroute, you'll have the opportunity to explore the magnificent medieval city of Kilkenny and the beautiful Kilkenny Castle. Continuing south, you can see first-hand the craftsmen at Waterford Crystal create art in crystal glass. The final visit of the day is to The Midleton Distillery. Set on 15 acres and beautifully restored, this is where the true heart of Irish whiskey is born. From the 18th century to the 21st, let the expert guides lead you through the extraordinary story of Irish Whiskey.

Day 4 - Cork to Killarney
Kinsale is the first stop today, with a visit to Charles Fort. Charles Fort is a classic example of a late 17th century star-shaped fort. As one of the largest military installations in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. Traveling through the scenic coutryside of West Cork, the tour arrives in Killarney, where you can visit Muckross House. Queen Victoria paid a visit there, to the Herbert family, in 1861. The House was later owned, in turn, by Lord Ardilaun (of the Guinness family) and by the Bourn Vincents. Today, many of the rooms in this magnificent mansion have been restored to their original Victorian splendour.

Day 5 - Dingle and Slea Head Drive
Today you will visit the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the quaint town of Dingle before heading out on the Slea Head Drive. Here you will see Dun Beag Fort. Excavations show that it dates back as far as the 6th century BC. Following the coast, the tour visits The Beehive Huts. Explore the passageways, paved pathways and beehive interiors. The final stop of the day is The Blascaod Centre in Dún Chaoin, on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. It celebrates the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their native language, culture and tradition. Relax as the homeward journey takes you back to Killarney over the magnificent Conor Pass.

Day 6 - Cliffs of Moher and The Burren
Today the travel is north, stopping in the picturesque village of Adare which sits on the River Maigue. Stroll through the village and explore its beautiful thatched cottages. Next stop is Bunratty Castle. This Norman Irish castle was built in 1250. In the grounds of the castle there is a folk park showing how life was like in Ireland in the 19th Century. Continuing north, the tour reaches The Burren. This landscape harbors plants from arctic to alpine and Mediterranean. After leaving The Burren, you will arrive at The Cliffs of Moher. The spectacular cliffs rise 700 feet skyward from The Atlantic Ocean and are 5 miles long. The Cliffs of Moher are home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland.

Day 7 - Depart Dublin
Alas, your tour of Ireland is at an end. Your driver/guide will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the Shannon or Dublin Airport, Cruise Ship Dock, or any other mutually arranged location.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Vehicles are insured to International standards.
• In the event of a vehicle breakdown, no refund will be applied for the time lost. Your tour provider will do everything in its power to ensure this does not happen. Vehicles are maintained to national annual car testing standards.
• If the vehicle is soiled by a passenger in your party, you may incur valet charges of 100 euros, payable on-site for cleaning costs.
• We strongly suggest you arrange for travel insurance prior to your trip.
• Tour provider, its affiliates and agents are not responsible for loss, damage or theft of personal belongings and equipment, personal injury and illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What meals are included on my Tour?
A full Irish Breakfast is included each morning. All other meals you pay as you go. Your driver/guide can arrange dinner reservations if you require this service.

What else is included on this tour?
The price includes all of your transportation requirements and the services of your driver/guide. Chauffeur expenses, fuel and parking tolls etc. as well as all related touring expenses are covered in your tour.

Is Our Chauffeur Driver also a Guide?
Yes, chauffeurs are also guides and have considerable expertise in Ireland from many different perspectives. These include history, current affairs, restaurants, the best driving routes, best time of day to visit attractions, as well as a host of other topics such as activities, local events and festivals. Your chauffeur/guide can make your experience much richer and deeper than if you were touring on your own or on a bus.

Should I tip my chauffeur/guide?
Tipping is a discretionary matter. It is, however, customary around the world - if one is pleased with their tour - to tip the chauffeur/guide.

Is there time for shopping on this tour?
Wherever possible, time for shopping is allowed within the framework of your tour. But, this is not a "shopping tour," so the actual amount of time available for shopping is generally limited.

Does this tour include much walking and stair climbing?
Virtually all tours involve some walking, and some tours include more walking and stair climbing than others. You will have much control over how much walking you will do. Walking may be over uneven surfaces such as cobblestone city streets or the rocky pathways of ancient ruins. On many tours, it could be necessary to negotiate stairs. Please keep in mind that most of the buildings you may be visiting were constructed well before conveniences such as elevators were invented and have been preserved in their original state.

8 DAYS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Pick-up and drop-off at virtually any Dublin lodging, cruise ship or airport are included for this tour. Rates are per person in US dollars. 2 PERSONS MINIMUM PER ORDER. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-217-2297.